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Lipgloss, My Debut, and WPPI
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L ast Monday I had the pleasure of speaking as part of the WPPI Road Trip in Long Beach. Though I genuinely love being able to connect with photographers and make new friends, the days leading up to each speaking event are brutal. I'm nervous, cranky, and downright scared. And--without fail--as we enter the venue, I turn to JD and ask, WHY DID I AGREE TO DO THIS?!?!
I'm what you'd call an outgoing introvert. I'm actually a shy and reserved person, but the past few years have challenged my natural characteristics, producing a girl who can come out of her shell when she needs to. Why, yes. Yes, I'm referring to myself in third person. Are you as annoyed as me?
I was extra nervous because I invited my parents to hear me speak. It was the first time in almost four years they've seen me on stage and I was incredibly honored. The following morning, I received an email from my mother encouraging me to slow my speech, to please request better stage lighting (I think she misunderstood and thought I was making my BROADWAY DEBUT), and to wear a darker shade of lipgloss. Overall, she wrote, I give you an "A" J*
That's my mom. Even after all these years, she STILL thinks she's homeschooling me...and totally inflating my grades! |
Yes, this picture was taken with an iphone...I forgot my camera at home, but I never wanted to forget what it felt like to show my parents just how much I love what I'm blessed to call my career.
SIDENOTE
I'll be speaking in:
Atlanta on Monday, September 26, 2011 as part of WPPI U.
New York City on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 as part of new and improved PhotoPlus Expo/WPPI East.
I'd love to meet you there, so please say hi. Oh, and wear a darker shade of lipgloss or else you may receive an email from my mother. |
    
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OC Fair Engagement : Michelle + Will
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S he walked into her mom's house and said she was going to do it. Do what? Michelle saw a flyer on her college campus advertising nanny positions in New York City. You're crazy...no way...I don't believe it. That's what her mom said, but Michelle was determined to leave California. Fast. She'd just endured a heart-wrenching breakup with her high school sweetheart, Will, and after years of being together, she was alone. And if she was going to be alone, Michelle was going to do it in the Big Apple.
He texted her the day before she left to New York, but she ignored it and boarded the plane. Michelle started nannying for celebrities, then became a personal assistant, and found herself shopping, dining, and living like an entirely new person. But everything changed a year and a half later.
After 18 months of silence, Will texted Michelle on a whim...and it just happened to be on a weekend she was headed to California. They met, talked, and decided to make things work because, to him, she was exactly the same girl he fell in love with when they were 17 years old. After being miles apart, long-distance phone calls, and text messages, Will proposed to Michelle in the pouring rain. She said yes and the pair are looking forward to starting their lives together. In the same state...and under the same roof.
Michelle and Will are marrying next month and I'm excited for their upcoming wedding! We met in Costa Mesa for their engagement session and here are a few of my favorites... |
| Michelle and Will wanted their session at the OC Fair, but she also really wanted a rustic field vibe for a dress she's been dying to wear...lucky for us, we found a field just a few minutes from the Fairground and started the engagement there... |
| Michelle, you're gorgeous. Truly. |
| After a quick outfit change, we had a blast at the OC Fair! |
| Will and Michelle are such great people...they're the type of people who just make fun happen...as season ticket holders to the Fair, they knew it was a perfect representation of them...and their love. |
| If you know me, you know my affinity for photo booths...thankfully Michelle does, too! Clearly, we have THE MOST AMAZING TASTE EVER. Duh. |
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Personality Types, Opposites + BBQ Sauce
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O n the way home from brunch yesterday, we spoke about relationships. After all, our business revolves around documenting love between two people. If there's anything we've noticed, it's that--for the most part--couples are often drawn to each other for the craziest reason: opposites attract.
For too many years, I wondered why JD married me. If you've ever met JD and I in person, you'd wonder the same thing. Now, before you think this is getting into a weepy story, trust me...it's so not that. The sun and the moon have more in common than we do, but we somehow just work. And I'm thankful.
We've established I have a Type-A personality, but it wasn't until yesterday (after a Google search) that I found its characteristics: |
| After every description, JD sat in the driver's seat and nodded his head...uhhh, thanks, dude! Here's a Type-B personality and if this doesn't exactly describe my husband, I don't know what does: |
| We went to the OC Fair last week and the only thing I wanted was a photo of us in the photo booth...and the only thing JD wanted was BBQ ribs. Because of my need to be in control, drive, and impatience, I cajoled him into giving in to my request because--duh--he's cooperative, accommodating, and easy going, but we eventually made our way to the BBQ booth. Perhaps that's what makes opposites work: the struggle, compromise, and, ultimately, licking BBQ sauce off fingers. Together. |
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Friday Randomness : Twit TV + Four Leaf Clovers
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A good friend is visiting me next week. You'd think I'd play things cool and just let life guide our way. But, nooooo, I have to grab the reigns (or is it grab it by the horns...I have no idea, I'm Latina!) and act like a camp counselor, without the whistle. I emailed her a detailed itinerary (I'm being serious) of the things we'll do and even included a few minutes for fist pumping. And, no, jersey references still haven't gotten old to me.
I suppose this neurosis stems from when I was a kid and my mother invited a girl from church to hang out at our house and she just sat on our pink couch and shrugged. What you wanna do...I dunno, what do you wanna do...I dunno. She pushed her blond hair from her shoulders in an elegant swoop then stared out the window. I felt like the BORINGEST GIRL ALIVE (yes, I know it's "most boring" but I think it loses its appeal). I mean, couldn't I even think of a game to play at my own house?!
Move over Boring Jasmine of the 90s, there's a new girl in town. And she has an itinerary ON HER CLIPBOARD.
In some more Friday Randomness...
*Project Runway is back on and it's official: I have a crush on Tim Gunn. Yes, I know he's gay but who needs diamonds when he feels like my best friend?!
*I'll be making a live appearance on Twit TV next Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 1:30pm PST. Last week my good friend Chase Jarvis was the featured guest, so he set the bar pretty high to sound all smart and stuff. If you want to talk about photography, I'd love to see you there!
*I've been practicing my dance moves and I'm thiiiiiis close to perfecting the Moon Walk.
*A few weeks ago, I "borrowed" a bracelet from my mom (this means I may or may not ever give it back). This gold four-leaf clover bracelet belonged to my grandma and she gave it to my mom on her 18th birthday. Years later, I wear it in hopes of being just as lucky as they've been in life. |
*Yesterday I worked out next to a girl in class who talked back to the instructor. And not in the hey, good job kind of way, but the every eight count WHOA! WHOOP! HEY NOW! UHHHHH! WHAT WHAT! WOW!!! kind of way and it took everything in me to remind her it wasn't audition to be a Lakers girl.
*I got this idea to paint some furniture. Which means JD's spent the last three days with a paintbrush glued to his hand, but I'm sure to express appreciation by squealing every time I walk by the room.
*It's Friday, so let's get crazy in a WHOA! WHOOP! HEY NOW! UHHHHH! WHAT WHAT! WOW!!! kind of way. |
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San Juan Capistrano Engagement : Sharon+Ivan
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T hey met a few years before, but they wouldn't remember if it wasn't for a picture from summer church camp during their junior year of high school. However, when their paths crossed again at the University of Texas, there wasn't any forgetting this time. Perhaps it was the way Ivan made her laugh, or the Sharon's acute attention to the things he said, but--this time--they remembered.
Ivan and Sharon became study partners in college and spent many days working (and talking) over textbooks and their mutual affection for their friends, family, and God. Late one night, after realizing Sharon was more than just a friend, Ivan suggested taking a walk around campus. As they strolled together under a dark Austin sky, Ivan asked if she'd be his girlfriend. They finished their walk at Wendy's and shared a chocolate shake, a detail Sharon hasn't forgotten. But, then again, Sharon hardly forgets anything about Ivan because he's been walking by her side ever since that night.
I'm incredibly honored to be photographing Sharon and Ivan's Houston wedding in October, and I have no doubt it'll be a perfect reflection of their love...and since Sharon is a photographer too, I suspect the day will unfold amazingly well! Sharon and Ivan flew to California for their San Juan Capistrano engagement session and here are a few of my favs... |
| Right around the time this photo was taken, Sharon casually joked how hard it must be to photograph another photographer because we can tell if exposure is off and other technical aspects are askew. Annnnnnd right about THERE was when my stomach wrapped into even tighter knots! ;) |
| Sharon and Ivan are two of the nicest people I've encountered. Ever. They're just the type of people who make you wanna hug the world. |
| A few San Juan Capistrano details...and a few of Sharon's dress details... (both the dress and belt are by J. Crew) |
| Sharon quickly changed into a Free People dress and we walked around for a few more engagement photos... |
| Sharon, you're stunning. Really. |
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